Power

New Jersey Assembly Woman Will Move to Condemn Akin Rape Remark

Although the politician isn't from her state, Watson Coleman believes Akin's comments were harmful enough to deserve official condemnation.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Vimeo screenshot.

A New Jersey politician believes that Missouri Congressman Todd Akin hasn’t had enough formal criticism for his remarks a few weeks prior, when he claimed that rape seldom leads to pregnancy and that irrespective of this assertion, women who have been raped should never be allowed to obtain an abortion. Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman has stated in a press release that she will be introducing a resolution to draw attention to his fictitious remarks, and will also condemn acts of violence against women.

“As a woman and mother, I was offended by such an irresponsible and inaccurate assertion made in reference to one of the most heinous acts that can be committed against a woman,” said Watson Coleman. “There is just so much wrong with that statement, I don’t know what’s worse; categorizing rape as “legitimate”, as if to imply there is any other kind of rape, or spreading the falsehood that rapes rarely result in pregnancies. It’s truly unfortunate that in this day and age, we have individuals in positions of power who can speak such mindless rhetoric. It is an affront to all women, especially those who have been victimized and who may have conceived a child through rape.”

“Rape is rape. To describe some rapes as “legitimate” sends a terrible message about what constitutes rape and downplays the severity and the consequences of this violent act on its victims,” said Watson Coleman. “Women who have been victimized have endured enough without having to worry about how a male elected official from Missouri chooses to define rape.”

Watson Coleman has been an outspoken advocate for women’s reproductive health and justice and strongly criticized New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for his cuts to the state family planning budget, saying he used women as “sacrificial lambs” in his fiscal policies.